JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Friday welcomed Mineral Resources Minister Msebenzi Zwane’s constitution of a Minerals and Petroleum Board and the mandated focus on job losses.
The board was appointed on Wednesday following the end of the term of office of the previous board on February 1, with six board members reappointed, including chairperson Khetiwe McClain and deputy chairperson and organised labour representative Smunda Mokoena.
David Msiza, Luthando Brukwe, Neale Baartjes and Vusi Mabena had been reappointed.
“This comes at a time when close to 32 000 jobs are currently affected and are in Section 189 consultation processes with various companies,” the NUM said in a statement on Friday.
With labour the first casualty of low commodity prices and reduction of cost pressures, the trade union called on the board to “thoroughly investigate” the causes of the mass retrenchments, with a specific focus on the lack of implementation of the industry-agreed Jobs Saving Declaration, functional future forums, pre- and post-recession financial management and marketing and management costs.
“In light of the job losses the industry is facing, the specific mandate of the board will be to research and properly consider the issue of job losses in the industry and to prepare a report on the issue for the Minister’s consideration by July 31,” the Department of Mineral Resources said.